War of 1812 American Army

The American Army of the War of 1812

For wargaming any war one set of troop types with set characteristics does not work. This is especially true of the American army of the War of 1812.  The war lasted from June 18th, 1812 to February 18th, 1815; 2 years and 8 months.

Note; the US Creek War was not related to the War of 1812 though it happened at the same time.

The United States Army in 1814

35 000 regulars

10 000 volunteers with the army

3 000 rangers

5 000 seamen and marines

450 000 militia (other estimates say 700 000)

US Regular Army 1812-1815

2 Regiments of Light Dragoons; these were large regiments of 700 men which were divided up into smaller units; usually 150 to 240 men. They had 6 or 8 units of around 180 cavalry.

48 Battalions of Line Infantry (in 1812 they had 24, then as the war went on more were created); each had one battalion, the 11th regiment had two. In theory they were to have 10 companies, but they often had less.  Some units had a rifle / light company, most did not. The 15th, 21st and 22nd had two light companies each.

1 Battalion Marines Guards (peak strength 750 men); these were divided up on ships and ports. They did fight in several battles attached to seamen / navy troops (no more than 120 at any battle).

1 Battalion of Rifles (4 regiments in 1814, plus the 26th regiment was converted in 1814)

3 Artillery Regiments (each with several batteries except the third which was used as light infantry). The second battalion was also sometimes used as light infantry.

1 Light Artillery Regiment *note that this unit fought in a couple of battles as artillery (Plattsburgh) but elements also fought as infantry. These were meant to be horse artillery, but never had enough horses so were basically foot artillery. 

1 Company Engineers

1 Company Bombadiers and Sappers; This unit was combined with the engineers at Lundy's Lane with 2 18 pounder cannons (they did not fight at the battle but were nearby)

US Irregulars and Militia *Estimates based on my interpretation of Renee Chartrand's book

Kentucky Militia Cavalry 3 regiments worth *probably the best cavalry in the army

Dragoons; est 20 to 30 Troops

Light Dragoons; est 30 to 60 Troops

Hussars; 10 Troops  (they were part of larger combined units)

Mounted Rifles; 30 to 60 Troops

Kentucky Militia; 20 battalions *some of the best infantry in the army

Militia; 800 or so battalions (New York and Pennsylvania alone had over 100 each)

Rifles; 100 to 200 companies

Native Units; At the Battle of Chippawa and New Orleans, otherwise did not play much of a role.

Militia Artillery; 200 batteries